Common Questions About Arlington County Court Records
How do I search Arlington County court records online?
Use the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information system for Circuit Court cases and the General District Court Online Case Information system for traffic, criminal, and civil district cases. Pick Arlington as the court, then search by name, case number, or hearing date. Land records use a separate county portal, and probate uses the STARR system. The Arlington County court records page covers each tool and what it shows.
Are all Arlington court records online?
No. The online systems show case status and selected data, not every document. Circuit Court document copies are requested from the clerk by email, in person, or mail. Juvenile, protective order, civil commitment, sealed, expunged, and adoption records may not appear online at all. Land record images require purchase or a subscription. For the full picture of what is open, see public records.
Who is the Arlington Clerk of the Circuit Court?
Paul F. Ferguson is the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church. He has served since January 1, 2008. The clerk keeps Circuit Court civil and criminal files, land records, judgments, marriage licenses, probate, and wills. The office runs by division, each with its own counter. The Clerk of the Circuit Court page lists the divisions and contacts.
How do I request copies of court documents?
Email civil-docrequest@arlingtonva.us for civil documents or CCT-DocRequest@arlingtonva.us for criminal documents. Include the case details, the documents you want, whether you need certification, and how you want them delivered. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page, and certification adds $2.00. The office tries to fill requests within two business days. Certified copies are not emailed. The court records page explains the process.
Can I bring my phone to the Arlington courthouse?
Generally no. Arlington bans cell and smart phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, and many electronics for ordinary visitors. Everyone passes through a metal detector and X-ray screening. Lockers sit across the street in the Detention Facility lobby and cost 25 to 75 cents. Jurors may bring a device only after showing a summons or badge. Plan for screening before any hearing you find in the court records system.
Which court handles traffic tickets?
The Arlington General District Court handles traffic cases. Many fines can be prepaid by calling 703-228-4599 or paying online, which avoids a court date but counts as a guilty plea. DUI and serious traffic matters require a court appearance and can carry criminal consequences. The traffic court records page covers citation lookups, paying or contesting a ticket, and the court versus DMV record.
Which court handles divorce?
Divorce is filed in the Arlington Circuit Court, Civil Intake Division. At least one spouse must have been a Virginia resident for six months. With no children, spouses must be separated six months and have a written property settlement agreement. With children, the separation period is one year. The marriage and divorce records page lists the forms, fees, and filing steps.
How do I get a marriage license?
Pre-apply online, then schedule an appointment after the email from noreply@versiform.com arrives. Both parties must be at least 18 and bring valid photo ID. The fee is $30, and the license must be used in Virginia within 60 days. The courthouse issues the license but does not perform ceremonies. The marriage and divorce records page has the full checklist.
Are probate records public?
Yes. The Arlington Probate Office states that probate records are public and available at the courthouse. Computerized records from 1997 to the present, with images after 2000, are in the STARR system. Older records from 1800 to 1996 use kiosk indexes and printed will books. Viewing images remotely requires a Land Records subscription. The probate records page covers access and estate steps.
How do I find an inmate in Arlington County?
Use the Arlington County Sheriff's Office inmate query. Search by name, subject number, or booking number, and narrow with a booking date range. The result shows the booking, charges, bond, and court date. The system only lists people currently in custody and drops them after release. The inmate records page explains the search fields and what each profile shows.
Does Arlington publish released inmates?
No. The inmate query says it does not keep historical information once a person is released. To confirm a release, search the current query, call the Sheriff's Office at 703-228-4460, use VINELink, or check the VADOC and BOP locators for state or federal custody. Court records also show bond and sentence. The released inmates page walks through each tool.
How do I expunge an Arlington criminal record?
File an expungement petition in the Circuit Court if you qualify under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, which applies after an acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi. Arlington requires copies of the warrant and petition, service on the Commonwealth's Attorney, fingerprinting, and a hearing usually set about twelve weeks out. The posted filing total is $103 plus a $15 cash fingerprint fee. The arrest records page lists the steps.
Are juvenile records public?
Generally no. Juvenile court records are confidential under Virginia Code § 16.1-305, with narrow exceptions for parties, attorneys, and certain agencies. Cases in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court involving juveniles, family abuse, custody, support, and child welfare may stay closed even when adult records are searchable. A blank search often means a record is restricted. See public records for the access rules.
How do I find a warrant in Arlington County?
Arlington does not publish a standalone active warrant list. Search the General District Court and Circuit Court case systems by name, check the inmate query if the person may be in custody, and contact the court or an attorney for a case-specific status. Do not rely on web searches for an urgent safety decision. The warrant records page explains how to check and resolve a warrant.
Who prosecutes Arlington criminal cases?
Parisa Dehghani-Tafti is the Commonwealth's Attorney for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church. Virginia uses the title Commonwealth's Attorney instead of district attorney. Her office prosecutes crimes in Arlington, Falls Church, and Reagan National Airport, and it runs a Victim and Witness Program, a Conviction Review Unit, and restorative justice work. People who cannot afford a lawyer can ask the court about the public defender. See arrest records for the criminal court path.
Can I search Arlington land records online?
Yes. Create a free account at Arlington's land records search portal to view the index, which reaches back electronically to 1869. Document images cost $0.50 per page plus a $2.00 transaction fee, or a subscription runs $50 per month or $600 per year after an application and approval. Land records include deeds, judgments, and financing statements. The public records page covers land and other clerk-maintained records.
Still Have Questions?
For the right office, see the Clerk of the Circuit Court. For broader access rules, see public records. For records by topic, browse court records, court dockets, arrest records, inmate records, traffic court records, marriage and divorce, or probate.